UPDATE: Driver crashes through fence at 47th/Charlestown

2:08 PM: A “rescue extrication” response (formerly “heavy rescue”) is on the way to 47th/Charlestown, where a vehicle is reported to have gone through a fence and overturned. Updates to come.

2:14 PM: Charlestown is closed in both directions at the scene.

2:19 PM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli is on scene. Vehicle right-side up; photo added. Everyone is out of the vehicle, per SFD. No word on injuries.

2:25 PM: Update from Christopher: “Looks like everyone is out ok with no serious injuries. An eyewitness tells me the car was headed eastbound up the hill and for whatever reason could not make it up and came down backward.” (If you’re indoors – it’s been raining for a while.)

22 Replies to "UPDATE: Driver crashes through fence at 47th/Charlestown"

  • HS September 30, 2018 (2:23 pm)

    Oh my goodness! The trees seems to have stopped the car going into into the house. Crazy!

  • Gordon gracey September 30, 2018 (2:26 pm)

    Car a SUV couldn’t gain traction up the hill and driver was attempting to back down and hit the gas instead of the brakes.car entered yard across the street backwards through the fence. Did not overturn.

    • WSB September 30, 2018 (2:47 pm)

      Thanks. It was dispatched twice as overturned for some reason but as seen in our photo, it was right-side up. Glad nobody was seriously hurt.

  • just wondering September 30, 2018 (2:35 pm)

    We live near the “Charlestown hill”. When it first rains after a dry spell the oil on the concrete makes it hard for cars to go up the hill. I guessing the van tried to go up the hill and then reversed to back down.
    I once saw a school bus unable to make it up the hill until they unloaded the students!

    • T September 30, 2018 (3:13 pm)

      The city cut grooves or roughed up the pavement a few years ago to try to increase traction. Sure was noisey. Guess it didn’t work.

  • Alki Bee September 30, 2018 (3:13 pm)

    Very dangerous hill in the rain. After I slid backwards once, I’ve never again attempted to climb it when it’s even a little wet, in even a slight drizzle. Let your new drivers know! Maybe also needs a sign at the foot of the hill.

  • T September 30, 2018 (4:59 pm)

    Now is a good time for people to check their tires for proper tread depth. Bald or low tread will effect your ability to climb this hill when it’s wet.

  • JayDee September 30, 2018 (7:19 pm)

    My sister’s Honda Element could not easily climb that hill with FWD and the eco-tires (hard rubber to increase fuel efficiency) that came with the car. I would bet that similar cars would have the same problem.

  • Jim Loop September 30, 2018 (7:45 pm)

    Wow!!!
    I’ve had drinks in that exact spot.
    Glad no one was hurt .
    I’ll miss the tree.

  • Chuck September 30, 2018 (8:05 pm)

    I am the homeowner. Most importantly nobody was hurt, there were kids in the van. Things can be repaired or replaced. I did however lose a very large and magnificent 60+ year old black pine that had been carefully and lovingly pruned in a bonsai shape (for nearly twenty years under my guardianship). It was my favorite tree in the yard. Feels like losing a favorite pet.

    • Molly September 30, 2018 (8:47 pm)

      I was running by while you were chatting with the driver- I’m so sorry for the loss of the tree! I run by that area daily and it will be sad to not see the beautiful trees poking over the fence as I go by.

    • Lindsey September 30, 2018 (9:23 pm)

      Oh no! I’m so sorry this happened but glad everyone is ok. We admire your yard from our house kitty corner across the street. Such a bummer.

    • Megan September 30, 2018 (9:58 pm)

      I live across the street, and I am glad the dog was not hurt, too! I was worried it was in your yard when it happened.

      • Chuck October 2, 2018 (11:12 pm)

        Poor old 13 year old Buster was shaking like a leaf when I got home. He’s fine now. Thanks for thinking of him!

  • Alex S. October 1, 2018 (12:25 pm)

    Muni Court records show the driver was cited for driving with no motor vehicle insurance.

    Just over a year ago, the same driver was cited for the same violation, and performed community service in lieu of paying a $500 fine. Something is definitely wrong in this state, where you can buy a car and drive it away without a valid license, and without insurance, with little incentive to pay for even the basics.

    Cars are more dangerous than guns, and the regulations for owning and using a car are just as lax, since “the right to drive” trumps just about everything else – especially the rights of the people who are victimized by bad, unlicensed & uninsured drivers.

    • Dave October 1, 2018 (2:13 pm)

      I agree. Unlicensed or uninsured drivers jeopardize everyone that follow the rules. If this is the person’s second time cited for driving without insurance, they should suspend their license, particularly in light of being in an accident (no matter the fault). I mean, a situation like this is precisely why we all must have car insurance. Sheesh.

    • KM October 1, 2018 (3:20 pm)

      Well said, Alex.

  • MJ October 1, 2018 (12:48 pm)

    Good no one got hurt, I hope that the motorist had good insurance to fix the fence and replace the tree.

    And T you are absolutely correct it is time for motorists to check their tires, tires with inadequate tread are not safe and create an unessary risk to all users of the transportation system!

  • Chuck October 1, 2018 (3:20 pm)

    Again, I am the homeowner here. Great to hear he is a multiple offender. He has no insurance so I had to go to my homeowners insurance today. My policy has a maximum pay out for a tree of $500. The tree that was destroyed was a $10,000 60 year old specimen tree. Had he been insured, his insurance company would’ve had to provide replacement cost, my insurance will provide me $500. NICE.

    • Alex S. October 1, 2018 (4:22 pm)

      Sorry to hear your insurance will only cover $500. You could sue that irresponsible driver if you find out he has any assets. Maybe THAT will scare him into buying insurance so the rest of us won’t have to keep subsidizing him.

      The city recently did its street tree program, and I believe there’s an office which deals with significant trees. You might try contacting them, a non-profit, or an advocate arborist to see if you have other options.

      As for the other comment: putting the right amount of air in one’s tire is a lot to ask of many people who literally drive their tires until they blowout. And of the many people who drive (and live) stoned.

  • dog 1 October 1, 2018 (7:33 pm)

    sort of the same situation happend to me in a wreck as a passenger. i was unaware the driver was not insured. and all medical bills quickly fell onto me. 200k later. =(

  • 1994 October 1, 2018 (7:58 pm)

    Maybe the WA State Dept of Licensing can connect with the WA State Office of the Insurance Commissioner to compare some data. Run some reports for the number of licensed passenger vehicles against the number of passenger vehicles with insurance policies….might be some interesting findings.

Sorry, comment time is over.